Northern Burgundy & Grands Crus

7 days / 6 nights

This wine tour focus on the whole of the Burgundy wine-growing region, from Chablis to the north, through to the Côte d’Or where 32 of the 33 prestigious Burgundian Grand Cru wines come from, down to stunning vineyards of Pouilly-Fuissé in the rolling hills near the town of Mâcon.

Through visits to the many different wineries, the meetings with the different wine-growers in the cellars and and in the vineyards, not forgetting the numerous tastings, you will discover a truly authentic, unspoilt wine-growing region ; beautiful landscapes and timeless villages, fashioned by the hands of generations of wine-growers passionate about their work and concerned with maintaining and passing on their age-old knowledge.

The region is also very rich in monuments, sites of interest and natural beauty. Your wine tour with us is not only the perfect way to learn about the wines, it is also an opportunity to discover this wonderful part of France. (please refer to our list of optional sightseeing and activities which can be incorporated into your vacation.

a unique jeep ride through the Burgundy vineyards and wine-growing villages (weather permitting)

a visit and breakfast at a local street market

the 11th-century Basilica of Saint Mary Magdelane in Vézélay

a drive through the vineyards of Chablis in a vintage Citroen 2CV

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy a scenic ride through unique landscapes

Visit of Sancerre, Beaune, Chablis

Taste some of most famous wines in the world

Learn about Burgundy wines

Enjoy a traditional Burgundian lunch & dinners

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

all transportation (pick up and drop off from Paris, Beaune, Dijon).

all accommodation (based on 3-star accommodation. 2 people sharing room. Supplement for singles)

all visits to wineries and wine-tastings

all midday meals including 2 wine-tasting lunches (wines selected by us of course!)

sightseeing and entrance fees (please refer to the options)

all our fees and costs

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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

evening meals (transport provided where necessary)

5 - 10% recommended gratuities

flights

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DAY 1 - BEAUNE

Pick up from your hotel in Paris and start of your wine tour. Followed by lunch and in the afternoon we will begin our wine odyssey with a couple of visits to local producers in and around the city of Beaune where you will be given an introduction to Burgundy wines and the different districts that make up this wonderfully eclectic wine growing region.

‍DAY2 - COTE DE NUITS

A full day in the mecca for Burgundy lovers as we explore and taste our way through the who’s who of red wine producing villages (Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, Vosne Romanée and Nuits Saint George). We will also head into the Hautes Côtes or « High Slopes » to track down some hidden gems that often lie just beyond the world famous vineyards along the « Côte ».

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DAY 3- COTE DE BEAUNE

Although home to some great reds such as Pommard and Volnay, the Chardonnay grape variety reaches its ultimate expression on the slopes around the villages of Meursault, Chassagne and Puligny-Montrachet. In the words of Voltaire, « To be drunk bare-headed and kneeling! ». We will also take the time to go off-the-beaten track to explore some of the lesser-known but very picturesque wine-producing villages such as Auxey-Duress, Saint Romain and Saint Aubin.

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DAY 4 - COTE CHALONNAISE & POUILLY-FUISSE

A few miles further south-east from the Côte de Beaune lies a wine growing district which has been described as the Côte d’Or 30 years ago. In a word, some really lovely wines and affordable prices from the villages of Mercury, Rully, Givry and Montagny. This afternoon we head to the southernmost Burgundian wine district of the Maçonnais where you will discover some of the world class Pouilly-Fuissé wines that contribute to the fame of the region. There are also some lesser known wine producing areas here where there are some great « finds » to be tracked down.

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DAY 5 - VEZELAY

Depart from Beaune for Vézelay. This morning we will check out of the hotel and head north to begin exploring the vineyards of Northern Burgundy. With a history of winemaking going back to the Roman occupation, the hillsides around the « sacred hill » of Vézélay today produce some great red and white wines. It will also be your chance to sample Burgundy’s rarest wine, known as the Melon. Local organic winegrower Maria Cuny will take you to see vineyards which are laboured by horses below the ramparts of the town and where she will explain the work of a wine-grower throughout the seasons. You will then be entertained to a delicious « wine-growers » lunch and wine-tasting at her home and estate a few miles in the country.

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DAY 6 - CHABLIS

A full day spent exploring the vineyards of Chablis with wine tastings at several wineries where you will be able to appreciate the different styles of Chablis and where you will learn all about the art of producing these world-class Chardonnays in the often difficult conditions of northern Burgundy. Late afternoon we will visit a producer in the little-known wine growing district of Epineul in order to taste some excellent red and white wines and learn all about the « Renaissance » of this ancient wine-growing area.

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DAY 7 - AUXERRE, ST BRIS AND IRANCY

Pinot lovers hold your breath. The tiny vineyards around the sleepy village of Irancy produce some classic reds some of which still contain the very ancient, and rare, grape variety known as the Cesar. And guess what, not all good white Burgundy is made from the Chardonnay grape. Just when you thought that Burgundy wines were getting easier to understand you will visit the vineyards around the medieval town of St Bris produce a rare and delicious sauvignon blanc! Today you will be treated to a unique wine-tasting lunch where you will enjoy a “plancha” of local cheeses and meats” washed down with a selection of excellent wines from the estate. This will be followed by a fascinating tour of the winery during which the winemaker will reveal the secrets of her trade. Late afternoon return to Paris.

About Your Tour Guide

My professional experience in wine and tourism has been long and varied and has included, amongst others, working as a wine buyer and sommelier for boutique hotels, putting together wine lists for restaurants, a specialised wine tour guide for luxury hotel barges, a « wine hunter » for Scandinavian importers as well as organising and conducting wine-tastings to Wine Societies in the UK, Germany and Holland.I have also completed my WSET Level 3 and and obtained a certificate in Advanced Tasting Techniques from the Wine University in Suze-la-Rousse". I love sharing my knowledge of wine and spirits with people interested in the topics. I have a passion for how wine is made, from the methods used to the history of the grapes. If you would like to learn more about wine, join me in my Facebook group by signing up below to using the form. I talk about wines, answer all the questions you may have about it growing techniques, history, and even organise webinars for the group members where I talk about wine in a bit more detail. Hope to welcome you there soon!

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